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Court Rules
Magistrate Judge

Judge Susan Hightower

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Western District of Texas

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Filing & Service rules

Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives

After a motion is ripe, a party seeking oral argument by a Newer Attorney should contact the courtroom deputy and identify the attorney and intended scope of argument.

If a party would like a Newer Attorney to argue a motion, after the motion is ripe, the party should contact the courtroom deputy to request oral argument and inform the deputy that a Newer Attorney will argue the motion or a portion of the motion.

Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys

The Court strongly encourages litigants to have Newer Attorneys argue when they drafted or significantly contributed to a motion or response.

Accordingly, the Court strongly encourages litigants to be mindful of opportunities for Newer Attorneys to conduct oral argument, particularly where a Newer Attorney drafted or contributed significantly to a motion or response.

Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys

The Court may permit more experienced counsel of record to speak during the same oral argument when appropriate.

Permit more experienced counsel of record to speak on the motion as well, where appropriate, during oral argument.

Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys

The Court will strongly consider allowing additional oral-argument time when a Newer Attorney argues.

Strongly consider allocating additional time for oral argument beyond what the Court otherwise may have allocated were a Newer Attorney not arguing.

Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys

Newer Attorneys are attorneys practicing for less than seven years.

This is especially true for newer attorneys, that is, attorneys practicing for less than seven years ("Newer Attorney(s)").

Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys

Notify opposing counsel if such a request is granted and ask opposing counsel to reciprocate by permitting a Newer Attorney to make its argument.

Notify opposing counsel if such a request is granted and ask opposing counsel to reciprocate by permitting a Newer Attorney to make its argument.

Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys

When practicable, the Court will grant a Newer Attorney’s oral-argument request even if argument ordinarily would not be allowed, and the representation favors a hearing when the Court is inclined to rule on the briefs.

Grant the request for oral argument, if it is practicable to do so, even if the Court ordinarily would not permit oral argument on the motion. Where the Court is inclined to rule on the briefs, a representation that the argument would be handled by a Newer Attorney will weigh in favor of holding a hearing.

Page 1 | Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys

About United States Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower

U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower began her service in the Western District of Texas in 2019, serving in the Austin Division.

Before her judicial appointment, Judge Hightower served as an administrative judge at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (2012–2019) and practiced intellectual property law at Pirkey Barber PLLC (2006–2012) and Fulbright & Jaworski LLP (2001–2006). She began her legal career as a law clerk to Judge Jacques L. Wiener, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (2000–2001).

Education

  • Stanford Law School, J.D., 2000
  • University of Texas, M.A., 1994
  • Austin College, B.A., 1987

Career

  • U.S. Magistrate Judge, Western District of Texas (2019–present)
  • Administrative Judge, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, USPTO (2012–2019)
  • Attorney, Pirkey Barber PLLC (2006–2012)
  • Attorney, Fulbright & Jaworski LLP (2001–2006)
  • Law Clerk to Judge Jacques L. Wiener, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (2000–2001)

Courthouse: 501 West Fifth Street, Austin, TX 78701

Chambers Staff

  • Courtroom Deputy: Ms. Kyra Kelley, (512) 391-8705
Common questions about Judge Susan Hightower's rules

Does Judge Susan Hightower encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Susan Hightower's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Notify opposing counsel if such a request is granted and ask opposing counsel to reciprocate by permitting a Newer Attorney to make its argument.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standing Order Regarding Courtroom Opportunities for Newer Attorneys
Complete rules summary for Judge Susan Hightower

Notify opposing counsel if such a request is granted and ask opposing counsel to reciprocate by permitting a Newer Attorney to make its argument.

Newer Attorneys are attorneys practicing for less than seven years.

The Court strongly encourages litigants to have Newer Attorneys argue when they drafted or significantly contributed to a motion or response.

After a motion is ripe, a party seeking oral argument by a Newer Attorney should contact the courtroom deputy and identify the attorney and intended scope of argument.

The Court will strongly consider allowing additional oral-argument time when a Newer Attorney argues.

The Court may permit more experienced counsel of record to speak during the same oral argument when appropriate.

When practicable, the Court will grant a Newer Attorney’s oral-argument request even if argument ordinarily would not be allowed, and the representation favors a hearing when the Court is inclined to rule on the briefs.

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